U.S. patent number 5,862,347 [Application Number 08/679,097] was granted by the patent office on 1999-01-19 for information display system, information distributor and information display apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fujitsu Limited. Invention is credited to Takahide Muramoto, Kazumi Saito, Toshimitsu Suzuki, Sadao Yashiro.
United States Patent |
5,862,347 |
Suzuki , et al. |
January 19, 1999 |
Information display system, information distributor and information
display apparatus
Abstract
An information display system has an information distribution
apparatus (a server) for storing information, upon receipt of an
information distribution demand, to distribute requested
information to an information distribution requesting source, and
an information display apparatus (a client) for displaying
information distributed from the server on a display screen through
requesting of the server information distribution. In the
information display system, only a partial information to be
displayed first at the client end is transmitted in form of a
non-compression from the server to the client, and the remaining
partial information is transmitted in form of a compression from
the server to the client.
Inventors: |
Suzuki; Toshimitsu (Kawasaki,
JP), Saito; Kazumi (Kawasaki, JP), Yashiro;
Sadao (Kawasaki, JP), Muramoto; Takahide
(Kawasaki, JP) |
Assignee: |
Fujitsu Limited (Kawasaki,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
11763823 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/679,097 |
Filed: |
July 12, 1996 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 25, 1996 [JP] |
|
|
8-010925 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L
67/06 (20130101); G06F 16/957 (20190101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
13/00 (20060101); G06F 17/00 (20060101); G06F
12/00 (20060101); G06F 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;395/200.77 ;364/715.02
;370/474,477 ;386/21 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62-245478 |
|
Oct 1987 |
|
JP |
|
5-273952 |
|
Oct 1993 |
|
JP |
|
7-146928 |
|
Jun 1995 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Ramirez; Ellis D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Staas & Halsey
Claims
We claim:
1. An information display system comprising:
an information distribution apparatus storing information, and upon
receipt of an information distribution demand, distributing
requested information to an information distribution requesting
source; and
an information display apparatus displaying information distributed
from said information distribution apparatus on a display screen by
requesting information distribution from said information
distribution apparatus,
said information distribution apparatus and said information
display apparatus being connected to each other via a communication
line,
wherein said information distribution apparatus comprises an
information distributing unit adapted to distribute first partial
information to be first displayed on said information display
apparatus, said first partial information being of a plurality of
pieces of partial information partitioned into information to be
distributed to said information display apparatus, said information
distributing unit distributing said first partial information to
said information display apparatus in non-compressed form, and to
distribute second partial information comprising at least a part of
the remaining partial information except the first partial
information to said information display apparatus in compressed
form, and wherein said information display apparatus comprises:
an information expansion unit expanding the second partial
information into a non-compressed format of information, and
a display control unit displaying first the first partial
information and thereafter displaying partial information other
than the first partial information.
2. An information display system according to claim 1, wherein said
information display apparatus comprises a character number
informing unit informing said information distribution apparatus of
character number information representative of a number of
characters to be displayed on said information display apparatus or
to be converted into the number of characters, and
wherein said information distribution apparatus partitions
information to be distributed to said information display apparatus
into sizes according to the character number information informed
from said information display apparatus, thereby producing said
plurality of pieces of partial information.
3. An information display system according to claim 1, wherein said
information display apparatus comprises an information distribution
requirement unit adapted to request of said information
distribution apparatus a distribution of information prior to
distributing information from said information distribution
apparatus, and to request of said information distribution
apparatus a distribution of information whenever a display is
updated even in mid way of displaying information distributed from
said information distribution apparatus, and
wherein said information distribution apparatus distributes
information to said information display apparatus in such a manner
that the first partial information is distributed in non-compressed
form in accordance with a first information distribution request
issued from said information display apparatus, and the remaining
pieces of partial information are distributed in compressed form in
accordance with a new information distribution request issued from
said information display apparatus.
4. An information display system according to claim 1, wherein said
information display apparatus comprises an information distribution
requirement unit adapted to request of said information
distribution apparatus a distribution of information prior to
distributing information from said information distribution
apparatus, and to request of said information distribution
apparatus a distribution of information whenever a display is
updated even in mid way of displaying information distributed from
said information distribution apparatus, and wherein said
information distribution apparatus distributes information to said
information display apparatus in such a manner that the first
partial information is distributed in non-compressed form in
accordance with a first information distribution request issued
from said information display apparatus, the partial information to
be displayed subsequent to a display of the first partial
information is distributed in compressed form, and the remaining
pieces of partial information are distributed in compressed form in
accordance with a new information distribution request issued from
said information display apparatus.
5. An information distribution apparatus for storing information,
upon receipt of an information distribution demand, to distribute
requested information to an information distribution requesting
source, comprising:
an information distributing unit adapted to distribute first
partial information to be first displayed on said information
display apparatus, said first partial information being of a
plurality of pieces of partial information which are partitioned in
information to be distributed to said information display
apparatus, to said information display apparatus in non-compressed
form, and to distribute second partial information comprising at
least a part of the remaining partial information excepting the
first partial information to said information display apparatus in
compressed form.
6. An information distribution apparatus according to claim 5,
further comprising:
a character number receiving unit receiving character number
information representative of a number of characters to be utilized
at a time in an information distribution requesting source or to be
converted into the number of characters; and
an information partitioning unit partitioning information to be
distributed to said information distribution requesting source into
sizes according to the character number information informed from
said information distribution requesting sources, thereby producing
said plurality of pieces of partial information.
7. An information distribution apparatus according to claim 5,
further comprising:
an information storage unit storing information to be distributed
to an information distribution requesting source in both compressed
and non-compressed forms, wherein said information distributing
unit distributes information to the information distribution
requesting source in combination of a compressed type of partial
information and a non-compressed type of partial information.
8. An information distribution apparatus according to claim 5,
further comprising:
an information storage unit storing information to be distributed
to an information distribution requesting source in non-compressed
form, wherein said information distributing unit distributes
information to the information distribution requesting source
through compressing said second partial information.
9. An information distribution apparatus according to claim 5,
further comprising:
an information storage unit storing information to be distributed
to an information distribution requesting source in a compressed
form, wherein said information distributing unit distributes
information to the information distribution requesting source
through expanding said first partial information to a
non-compressed type of information.
10. An information distribution apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein said information distribution apparatus distributes
information to said information display apparatus in such a manner
that the first partial information is distributed in non-compressed
form in accordance with a first information distribution request
issued from said information display apparatus, and the remaining
pieces of partial information are distributed in compressed form in
accordance with a new information distribution request issued from
said information display apparatus.
11. An information distribution apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein said information distribution apparatus distributes
information to said information display apparatus in such a manner
that the first partial information is distributed in non-compressed
form in accordance with a first information distribution request
issued from said information display apparatus, the partial
information to be displayed subsequent to a display of the first
partial information is distributed in compressed form, and the
remaining pieces of partial information are distributed in
compressed form in accordance with a new information distribution
request issued from said information display apparatus.
12. An information display apparatus for displaying information
distributed from an information distribution source on a display
screen through requesting of said information distribution source
information distribution, said information display apparatus
comprising:
an information receiving unit receiving a distribution of
information comprising a non-compressed type of partial information
and a compressed type of partial information;
an information expansion unit expanding a compressed type of
partial information of information distributed from the information
distribution source into a non-compressed type of partial
information; and
a display control unit providing control such that at least a part
of the first partial information of the partial information
distributed in non-compressed form from the information
distribution source and thereafter partial information other than
the first partial information is displayed.
13. An information display apparatus according to claim 12 further
comprising a character number informing unit informing the
information distribution source of character number information
representative of a number of characters to be displayed on said
information display apparatus or to be converted into the number of
characters.
14. An information display apparatus according to claim 12 further
comprising an information distribution requirement unit adapted to
request of the information distribution source a distribution of
information prior to distributing information from the information
distribution source, and to request of the information distribution
source a distribution of information whenever a display is updated
even in mid way of displaying information distributed from the
information distribution source.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information distributor (a
so-called server) in which information is stored, and upon receipt
of information distributing request, the requested information is
distributed toward an information distribution demand source, an
information display apparatus (a so-called client) in which
information distribution is requested to an information
distribution source, and information provided from the information
distribution source is displayed on a display screen, and an
information display system in which the information distributor and
the information display apparatus are connected via communication
lines to one another.
2. Description of the Related Art
Information display systems as mentioned above, that is, systems in
which the server and the client are connected via communication
lines such as a telephone line, a LAN and the like, have come into
wide use recently.
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the basic arrangement of
constituents of a network system having a server and a client.
Usually, while there is a case in which a plurality of clients are
connected and also a plurality of servers are connected, here it is
assumed, for the purpose of simplification, that one server and one
client are connected to one another through a network.
FIG. 22(A) and 22(B) are each a typical illustration of a format of
information stored in a server.
The server 10 is provided with a large capacity of information
storage unit 11. The information storage unit 11, stored much
information, such as a non-compressed type of information, as shown
in FIG. 22 (A), which can be displayed as it is, and a compression
type of information, as shown in FIG. 22 (B), which cannot be
displayed as proper information in the present form. An
advantageous point of storage of information in compressed form
resides in the point that a data storage capacity can be reduced.
On the other hand, in order to display such information as proper
information, there is a need to expand the compression type of
information into the non-compressed type of information.
The server 10 further comprises a computer 12, such as a personal
computer (PC) and a work station (WS), for executing programs to
operate the server 10 including a program for accessing the
information storage unit 11 and a program for transmitting the
information read from the information storage unit 11 via a network
30 to the client; and display 13 for displaying information
involved in management of the server 10.
The server 10 basically has the arrangement as mentioned above, and
serves to distribute information via the network 30 to the client
20.
Specifically, as a famous server system, there is known a WWW
(World Wide Web) of an interest. Usually, actuation of an HTTP
daemon on an OS (Operating System) such as an UNIX or Windows NT
permits access from a client application such as Mosaic, thereby
transmitting information of interest to the client.
On the other hand, the client 20 is a computer system having a
display 21 for displaying information transmitted from the server
10. The client 20 comprises an interface 22 for receiving and
transmitting data via the network 30; a CPU 23 for executing an OS,
an application software and the like; a memory 24 for temporarily
storing the OS, the application software and various kinds of data
so that the CPU 23 may refer to those; an information storage unit
25 for storing the OS, the application software, data and the like;
and a user interface 26 including a keyboard, a mouse and the like.
The information storage unit 25 comprises, usually, a hard disk
device and the like so as to store an application software for
expanding a compression type of data, an application software for
an information display, and the like. Those application softwares
are developed on the memory 24 when executed in the CPU 23. The
information storage unit 25 serves as a storage place for
temporarily storing information transferred from the server 10.
The client 20 has basically a structure of usual personal computer
as mentioned above. For example, a WWW browser (an example of a
communication software) such as Mosaic is available. The client 20
is operative to request a distribution of information through the
network 30 to the server 10 and to display on the display 21
information transmitted from the server 10 via the network 30. It
is possible, through clicking by the mouse provided as the user
interface 26, of the information displayed on the display 21
characters or still picture portions linked with other information,
to display the linked information.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing schematically a basic processing
routine in the server and the client.
First, at the client end the communication software is activated
(step 20-1), and information to be displayed is requested to the
server (step 20-2). At the server end, it is observed as to whether
information distribution demand has been received from the client
(step 10-1). When the server received the information distribution
demand from the client, the server transmits the requested
information (file) to the client (step 10-2). The client refers to
a header of the transmitted file to determine as to whether the
transmitted file is a compressed type of file or a non-compressed
type of file (step 20-3) on a basis of information recorded on the
header. In a case where it is the non-compressed type of file, upon
receipt of the information in its entirety (step 20-4), the
information is displayed (step 20-5).
In step 20-3, when it is determined that the file transmitted from
the server is an information file of a compressed type, the process
goes to step 20-6 in which it is determined whether the provided
file is to be preserved. The reason why it is determined whether
the file is to be preserved is that in case of the compressed file,
it takes a lot of time to expand the compressed file, or there is a
need to additionally provide a corresponding expansion software,
and in view of the foregoing, it often happens that the file is
cancelled without being displayed. It is acceptable that such a
decision is effected through operation of the user interface 26 by
a user of the client, alternately it is instructed beforehand to
the client that the compressed file is not preserved. In a case
where the compressed file is to be preserved, after completion of
receiving of the compressed file (step 20-7), the received
information is stored in form of compression in the information
storage unit 25 (step 20-8).
After the preservation, an information expansion program is
activated so that the compressed file stored in the information
storage unit 25 is expanded into the form of non-compression and
displayed on the display 21.
In the system, as mentioned above, in which information is
transmitted from the server to the client and the transmitted
information is displayed at the client end, it is desired that
after the client requires the server to provide information, the
required information is transmitted in short time from the server
and is immediately displayed.
However, in case of non-compressed type of information, it takes a
lot of time to transmit information from the server 10 to the
client 20. Specifically, in a case where a communication rate of
the network 30 is low, or in a case where information, which is
large in information rate, for example, information of images or
animations, is transmitted, it takes a lot of time before that
information is displayed. This involves a problem such that the
user of the client 20 is obliged to wait such long time. Further,
in a case where the network 30 is a telephone line, taking much
time for communication involves a problem such that a service
charge for use of the line is increased. Furthermore, in a case
where an internet is utilized, a line-occupied factor will be
increased. This brings about a problem such that an increment of
the user involves a lowering of the transfer rate.
On the other hand, in a case where the compressed type of
information is transferred from the server 10 to the client 20, the
communication time is reduced by the corresponding reduced data
capacity in which information is compressed. However, at the client
end which receives the compressed information, there is a need to
expand the compressed information to the non-compressed type of
information. Thus, it takes much time for expansion. Also in this
case, there arises a problem such that it takes a lot of time
before information is displayed.
FIGS. 24 (A) and (B) are each a typical illustration useful for
understanding a display scheme for a GIF type of image
information.
As to the GIF type of image information, there is known a scheme in
which as shown in FIG. 24 (B), an image is displayed in the order
of scan lines 1, 2, 3, . . . arranged on a jumping basis, a
so-called interlace reproducing is performed, instead of a scheme
in which as shown in FIG. 24 (A), an image is displayed in the
order of scan lines 1, 2, 3, . . . arranged on a sequential basis.
Also in case of the interlace reproducing, the total time taken up
to a sheet of picture being displayed in its entirety is the same
as the scheme shown in FIG. 24 (A). In spite of this matter, the
interlace reproducing scheme may give the impression for the user
of the client 20 just like that the image is displayed in short
time after the user requests information. Thus, the user of the
client 20 may be released from an irritation such that the user is
obliged to wait for a long time before the image is displayed.
However, this scheme is applicable to the GIF type of image only,
but not applied to another file type of information. Further, it is
noted that the interlace reproducing scheme simply gives the user
of the client 20 an illusion just like that the image is
immediately displayed, but the display of information is not indeed
hastened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present
invention to provide an information display system capable of
reducing the time needed from the time distribution of information
was required until the display of the information, and an
information distributor (a server) and an information display
apparatus (a client) which are suitable for the information display
system.
To attain the above-mentioned object, according to the present
invention, there is provided an information display system
comprising an information distribution apparatus for storing
information, upon receipt of an information distribution demand, to
distribute requested information to an information distribution
requesting source, and an information display apparatus for
displaying information distributed from said information
distribution apparatus on a display screen through requesting of
said information distribution apparatus information distribution,
in which said information distribution apparatus and said
information display apparatus are connected to each other via a
communication line.
The information distribution apparatus of the present invention
comprises an information distributing unit adapted to distribute a
first partial information to be first displayed on said information
display apparatus of a plurality of pieces of partial information,
which are partitioned in information to be distributed to said
information display apparatus, to said information display
apparatus in non compressed form, and to distribute a second
partial information comprising at least a part of the remaining
partial information excepting the first partial information to said
information display apparatus in compression form.
the information display apparatus of the present invention
comprises an information expansion unit for expanding the second
partial information into a non-compressed format of information,
and a display control unit for displaying first the first partial
information and thereafter displaying partial information other
than the first partial information.
In the above-mentioned information display system, it is acceptable
that said information display apparatus comprises a character
number informing unit for informing said information distribution
apparatus of character number information representative of a
number of characters to be displayed on said information display
apparatus or to be converted into the number of characters; and
that said information distribution apparatus partitions information
to be distributed to said information display apparatus into sizes
according to the character number information informed from said
information display apparatus thereby producing said plurality of
pieces of partial information.
Further, in the above-mentioned information display system, it is
acceptable that said information display apparatus comprises an
information distribution requirement unit adapted to request of
said information distribution apparatus a distribution of
information prior to distributing information from said information
distribution apparatus, and to request of said information
distribution apparatus a distribution of information whenever a
display is updated even in mid way of display of information
distributed from said information distribution apparatus; and that
said information distribution apparatus distributes information to
said information display apparatus in such a manner that the first
partial information is distributed in non-compressed form in
accordance with a first information distribution request issued
from said information display apparatus, and the remaining pieces
of partial information are distributed in compressed form in
accordance with a new information distribution request issued from
said information display apparatus.
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information display system, it
is acceptable that said information display apparatus comprises an
information distribution requirement unit adapted to request of
said information distribution apparatus a distribution of
information prior to distributing information from said information
distribution apparatus, and to request of said information
distribution apparatus a distribution of information whenever a
display is updated even in mid way of display of information
distributed from said information distribution apparatus; and that
said information distribution apparatus distributes information to
said information display apparatus in such a manner that the first
partial information is distributed non compressed form in
accordance with a first information distribution request issued
from said information display apparatus, the partial information to
be displayed subsequent to a display of the first partial
information is distributed compressed form, and the remaining
pieces of partial information are distributed in compressed form in
accordance with a new information distribution request issued from
said information display apparatus.
Still to attain the above-mentioned object, according to the
present invention, there is provided an information distribution
apparatus for storing information, upon receipt of an information
distribution demand, to distribute requested information to an
information distribution requesting source.
The information distribution apparatus of the present invention
comprises an information distributing unit adapted to distribute a
first partial information to be first displayed on said information
display apparatus of a plurality of pieces of partial information,
which are partitioned in information to be distributed to said
information display apparatus, to said information display
apparatus in non-compressed form, and to distribute a second
partial information comprising at least a part of the remaining
partial information excepting the first partial information to said
information display apparatus in compressed form.
In the above-mentioned information distribution apparatus, it is
acceptable that the information distribution apparatus further
comprises: a character number receiving unit for receiving
character number information representative of a number of
characters to be utilized at a time in an information distribution
requesting source or to be converted into the number of characters;
and an information partitioning unit for partitioning information
to be distributed to said information distribution requesting
source into sizes according to the character number information
informed from said information distribution requesting source
thereby producing said plurality of pieces of partial
information.
Further, in the above-mentioned information distribution apparatus,
it is acceptable that the information distribution apparatus
further comprises an information storage unit for storing
information to be distributed to an information distribution
requesting source in both compressed and non-compressed forms The
information distributing unit distributes information to the
information distribution requesting source in combination of a
compressed type of partial information and a non-compressed type of
partial information; that the information distribution apparatus
further comprises an information storage unit for storing
information to be distributed to an information distribution
requesting source in non-compressed form. The information
distributing unit distributes information to the information
distribution requesting source through compressing said second
partial information. The information distribution apparatus further
comprises an information storage unit for storing information to be
distributed to an information distribution requesting source in
compressed form, and said information distributing unit distributes
information to the information distribution requesting source
through expanding said first partial information to a
non-compressed type of information.
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned information distribution
apparatus, it is acceptable that said information distribution
apparatus distributes information to said information display
apparatus in such a manner that the first partial information is
distributed in non-compressed form in accordance with a first
information distribution request issued from said information
display apparatus, and the remaining pieces of partial information
are distributed in compressed form in accordance with a new
information distribution request issued from said information
display apparatus; or that said information distribution apparatus
distributes information to said information display apparatus in
such a manner that the first partial information is distributed in
non-compressed form in accordance with a first information
distribution request issued from said information display
apparatus, the partial information to be displayed subsequent to a
display of the first partial information is distributed in form of
compression, and the remaining pieces of partial information are
distributed in compressed form in accordance with a new information
distribution request issued from said information display
apparatus.
Still further to attain the above-mentioned object, according to
the present invention, there is provided an information display
apparatus for displaying information distributed from an
information distribution source on a display screen through
requesting of said information distribution source information
distribution.
The information display apparatus of the present invention
comprises an information receiving unit for receiving a
distribution of information consisting of a non-compressed type of
partial information and a compressed type of partial
information.
The information display apparatus of the present invention further
comprises an information expansion unit for expanding a compressed
type of partial information of information distributed from the
information distribution source to a non-compressed type of partial
information; and
a display control unit for providing such a control that at least a
part of first partial information of the partial information
distributed in non-compressed form from the information
distribution source and thereafter partial information other than
the first partial information is displayed.
In the above-mentioned information display apparatus, it is
acceptable that the information display apparatus further comprises
a character number informing unit for informing the information
distribution source of character number information representative
of a number of characters to be displayed on said information
display apparatus or to be converted into the number of
characters.
Further, in the above-mentioned information display apparatus, it
is acceptable that the information display apparatus further
comprises an information distribution requirement unit adapted to
request of the information distribution source a distribution of
information prior to distributing information from the information
distribution source, and to request of the information distribution
source a distribution of information whenever a display is updated
even in mid way of display of information distributed from the
information distribution source.
According to the present invention, information to be displayed
first in the information display apparatus (client) is distributed
in non-compressed form. Thus, it is possible at the client end to
immediately display such information. Further, according to the
present invention, at least a part of pieces of information other
than information which is to be displayed first is distributed in
compressed form. Thus, it is possible to perform a communication in
short time. In addition, it is possible that the information, which
was distributed to the client side in compressed form, is subjected
to an expansion processing while information distributed in
non-compressed form is displayed. Therefore, according to the
present invention, it is possible to attain in good balance both a
high speed communication and a reduction of waiting time for a
display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a server constituting an
information display system according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a client constituting an
information display system according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a typical illustration showing a file format of
information transmitted from the sever to the client;
FIG. 4 is a typical illustration showing a management table for
information stored in the server;
FIG. 5 is a typical illustration useful for understanding a
processing system for information transferred from the sever to the
client;
FIG. 6 is a typical illustration useful for understanding a
processing system for a file transferred to the client end;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a basic processing routine of the server
and the client according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 8(A) and (B) are each a typical illustration showing another
aspect in which the same information is stored at the server end in
both the forms of the non-compression type and the compression
type;
FIGS. 9(A) and (B) are the illustrations of a management table in
which sizes of a display area of the respective clients, which were
informed from a plurality of clients to the server, and a character
number corresponding table which represents a corresponding
relation between the size of the display area and the number of
characters which can be displayed in the associated display area,
respectively;
FIG. 10 is a typical illustration useful for understanding an
information processing system at the server end;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a basic processing routine of the server
and the client according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 12 is a typical illustration of a character number management
table which represents a corresponding relation between the client
and the number of characters which can be displayed in the
associated display area;
FIG. 13 is a typical illustration useful for understanding an
information processing system at the server end;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a basic processing routine of the server
and the client according to still another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGS. 15-18 are each a typical illustration useful for
understanding an example of an information processing system at the
server end;
FIGS. 19-20 are each a typical illustration useful for
understanding an example of an information processing system at the
server end in the event that information is stored in form of the
compression at the server end;
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the basic arrangement of
constituents of a network system having a server and a client;
FIG. 22(A) and 22(B) are each a typical illustration of a format of
information stored in a server;
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing schematically a basic processing
routine in the server and the client; and
FIGS. 24 (A) and (B) are each a typical illustration useful for
understanding a display scheme for a GIF type of image
information.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, there will be described embodiments of the present
invention.
(First embodiment)
FIGS. 1 and 2 is a functional block diagram of a server
constituting an information display system according to the present
invention.
The server and the client according to the present embodiment of
the invention are constituted as shown in FIG. 21 in form of a
hardware. On the other hand, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the server and the
client on a functional block basis, respectively.
A server 10 shown in FIG. 1 and a client 20 shown in FIG. 2 are
connected to each other via a network 30. The server 10 receives at
an information distribution requirement receiving unit 101 an
information distribution demand transmitted from an information
distribution requirement transmitting unit 201 of the client 20,
and passes the same to an information storage unit 102. The
information storage unit 102 stores information to be distributed
to the client 20. Upon receipt of information distribution demand
from the client 20, information according to the demand is
transmitted from the information storage unit 102 to an information
dividing unit 103. The client 20 transmits information as to the
size of a display window provided at the client 20 end and
information as to the number of characters which can be displayed
on the display window (information representative of the number of
characters directly or indirectly is referred to as character
number information) together with a information distribution
demand, or prior to the information distribution demand, from a
character number informing unit 202 to a character number
information receiving unit 104. The received character number
information is transmitted to the information dividing unit 103. In
the information dividing unit 103, information transmitted from the
information storage unit 102 is divided in accordance with the
character number information, and then transmitted to an
information distribution unit 105. The information distribution
unit 105 transmits the information sent from the information
dividing unit 103 via the network 30 to the client 20 through
providing such an editing that of the information divided in
accordance with the character number information, information which
is to be displayed first at the client end, for example, the first
one page of information is given in form of a non-compression, and
information other than the first one page of information is given
in form of a compression.
FIG. 3 is a typical illustration showing a file format of
information transmitted from the sever to the client.
As seen from FIG. 3, only the first page is given with a
non-compression type of partial information, and the second page et
seqq. are given with a compression type of partial information.
On the client 20 side, the transmitted information given with the
form as shown in FIG. 3 is received at an information receiving
unit 203 (cf. FIG. 2) in which of the received information the
first page of non-compression type of partial information is
transmitted to a display control unit 204 as it is, and the second
page et seqq. of compression type of partial information is
transmitted to the display control unit 204 after expansion into
the non-compression type of partial information. Information thus
transmitted is displayed on a display screen 205 on a refreshing
basis.
Incidentally, it is acceptable to arrange the system in such a way
that the information distribution requirement transmitting unit 201
of the client 20 not only requires a distribution of information of
the server 10 prior to the distribution of information from the
server 10, but also requires a distribution of information of the
server 10, whenever an update of a display on the display screen
205 is performed under control of the display control unit 204,
even in mid way of displaying information distributed from the
server 10, and in the server 10 partial information partitioned in
information of interest to be distributed is distributed for each
demand, but not providing the required information in it entirety
at once.
The above-mentioned embodiment concerns a schematic one of the
present invention. Various embodiments of the present invention
will be described hereinafter.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a typical illustration showing a management table for
information stored in the server. FIG. 5 is a typical illustration
useful for understanding a processing system for information
transferred from the sever to the client. FIG. 6 is a typical
illustration useful for understanding a processing system for a
file transferred to the client end. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a
basic processing routine of the server and the client according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
In the system structure as shown in FIG. 21, information storage
unit 11 stores the same information in both the formats of a
non-compression type and a compression type. In the management
table shown in FIG. 4, non-compressed file XXX.n and compressed
file XXX.e are managed with the identical file name XXX. The
non-compressed files XXX.n and the compressed files XXX.e are
labeled with tag 1, tag 2, . . . at the associated position.
Referring to FIG. 7, the client 20 requests of the server 10 a file
to be displayed (step 72-1). In the server 10, upon receipt of the
information distribution demand from the client 20, the file of
interest is retrieved to find that the file is managed in the
management table shown in FIG. 4 (step 71-1). Then, the process
goes to a step 71-2 in which the management table is retrieved to
specify a certain file (e.g. a file name: sample 1).
Thereafter, in steps 71-3 and 71-4, of the specified file name
sample 1 the non-compressed file sample 1.n and the compressed file
sample 1.e are each separated at the first tag 1. In step 71-5, as
shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the non-compressed file sample 1.n
(part (a) of FIG. 5), which is located at stage before tag 1, and a
portion of the compressed file sample 1.e (part (b) of FIG. 5),
which is located at stage after tag 1, are coupled with each other
other to form a transfer file as shown in part (c) of FIG. 5. The
transfer file thus formed is transferred from the server 10 to the
client 20.
On the client 20 side, upon receipt of the transfer file, first,
the non-compressed data portion of the first of the transfer file
is displayed (step 72-2). Then, the compressed data portion is
expanded into the non-compressed data (step 72-3). The expanded
data is coupled with the data portion, which is transmitted in form
of an originally non-compressed data, and is displayed subsequent
to the non-compressed data portion (step 72-4) as shown in FIG.
6.
FIGS. 8(A) and (B) are each a typical illustration showing another
aspect in which the same information is stored at the server end in
both the forms of the non-compression type and the compression
type.
According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the non-compression
type of information and the compression type of information are
provided in form of individual files, and those files are managed
in the management table shown in FIG. 4. On the other hand, it is
acceptable to adopt, instead of the management scheme as mentioned
above, a management scheme such that as shown in FIG. 8(A) the
non-compressed file and the compressed file are coupled to form a
single format and managed in form of the coupled file, and also
acceptable to adopt another management scheme such that as shown in
FIG. 8(B) the non-compressed files and the compressed files are
alternately arranged and managed in form of such an
arrangement.
(Third embodiment)
FIGS. 9(A) and (B) are the illustrations of a management table in
which sizes of a display area of the respective clients, which were
informed from a plurality of clients to the server, and a character
number corresponding table which represents a corresponding
relation between the size of the display area and the number of
characters which can be displayed in the associated display area,
respectively. FIG. 10 is a typical illustration useful for
understanding an information processing system at the server end.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a basic processing routine of the server
and the client according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
In the system structure shown in FIG. 21, according to the present
embodiment, information storage unit 11 at the server 10 end
stores, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 10, information in the format
of a non-compression type. In the server 10, there is prepared a
size management table shown in FIG. 9(A). Further, in the server
10, there is stored a character number corresponding table shown in
FIG. 9(B).
Referring to FIG. 11, the client 20 first informs the server 10 of
a size of a display area (step 12-1). In the server 10, upon
receipt of information as to the size of the display area from the
client 20, the informed size of the display area is stored in the
size management table shown in FIG. 9(A) (step 11-1). Next, the
client 20 requests of the server 10 a file to be displayed (step
12-2). In the server 10, upon receipt of the information
distribution demand from the client 20, the file of interest is
retrieved (step 11-2).
In step 11-3, of the information (cf. part (a) of FIG. 10)
specified through the retrieval in step 11-2 a portion
(non-compressed portion in part (b) of FIG. 10) corresponding to
the number of characters specified by the size management table and
the character number corresponding table shown in FIGS. 9(A) and
9(B) is separated (step 11-3), and then immediately transferred to
the client (step 11-4). In transferred information of the
non-compressed portion, there is described such a matter that it is
a part of the whole information, so that it can be jointed with the
remaining information portion at the client 20 end. On the server
side, the divided remaining information is compressed and then
transferred to the client 20 (step 11-5).
Incidentally, "SIZE" in the character number corresponding table
shown in FIG. 9(B) corresponds to the product of "X size" and "Y
size" in the size management table shown in FIG. 9(A).
On the other hand, the client interprets the header of the
non-compression type of partial information, which was transferred
first, and recognizes that it is a part of the requested
information and waits the subsequent remaining partial information,
while the partial information is displayed on the display screen
(step 12-2). When the remaining information is transmitted, the
transmitted compressed information is expanded (step 12-4), and the
expanded information is jointed with the previously transmitted
information, which has been displayed on the display screen, so
that it is displayed subsequent to the previously transmitted and
now displayed information (step 12-5).
FIG. 12 is a typical illustration of a character number management
table which represents a corresponding relation between the client
and the number of characters which can be displayed in the
associated display area.
It is acceptable that the character number management table shown
in FIG. 12 is provided instead of the size management table shown
in FIG. 9(A), and information as to the size of the display area,
which was transmitted from the client, is converted into the number
of characters and then stored in the character number management
table shown in FIG. 12. Further, it is also acceptable that the
character number management table shown in FIG. 12 is provided
instead of both the size management table and the character number
corresponding table shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B), through
transmission of information as to the number of characters from the
client.
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a typical illustration useful for understanding an
information processing system at the server end. FIG. 14 is a
flowchart of a basic processing routine of the server and the
client according to th present embodiment of the present
invention.
In the similar fashion to that of the above-mentioned embodiments,
the client 20 first informs the server 10 of the display area size
(step 15-1). Upon receipt of the size information, the server 10
stores the informed size in the size management table shown in FIG.
9(A) (step 14-1). Next, the client 20 requests of the server 10
transfer of a file to be displayed (step 15-2). In response to this
request, the server 10 retrieves a file of interest (step 14-2).
When the file of interest is specified through the retrieval, the
process goes to step 14-3 in which the specified file is
partitioned from the top in turn into sizes corresponding to the
number of characters specified in accordance with the size
management table and the character number corresponding table shown
in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B). In step 14-4, it is determined as to
whether the partitioned portion is the head portion of the file. If
it is the head portion, that portion is immediately transferred to
the client (step 14-6). On the other hand, if it is not the head
portion, data of that portion is compressed (step 14-5) and then
transferred to the client (step 14-6). Thereafter, on the server 10
side, in step 14-7, it is determined as to whether the above
processing has been completed up to the final portion of the file
specified through the retrieval in step 14-2. As a result, if the
remaining portion exists, the program returns to the step 14-3.
On the other hand, in the client 20, whenever it receives in turn
the partial information of the size corresponding to the display
area size informed in step 15-1 from the server 10, it is
determined as to whether the transmitted partial information is
compressed (step 15-3). If it is not compressed, the partial
information is immediately displayed (step 15-5). On the subsequent
compressed portion, the compressed information is expanded to the
non-compressed information (step 15-4) and then the partial
information is displayed (step 15-5).
FIGS. 15-17 are each a typical illustration useful for
understanding an example of an information processing system at the
server end.
According to the information processing system shown in FIG. 13, it
is arranged in such a manner that information to be transferred
from the server to the client is partitioned into a plurality of
partial areas of sizes corresponding to the display area sizes of
the client, and the partial information on the first partial area
is transmitted directly in the form of the non-compression and
pieces of partial information on the partial areas other than the
first partial area are in turn compressed and then transmitted.
However, it is acceptable to provide such an arrangement that as
shown in FIG. 15, only the first partial information on the
non-compression is transmitted, and pieces of other partial
information are compressed and saved in the server so that they are
transmitted whenever the transfer demand occurs from the client.
Further, it is also acceptable to provide such an arrangement that
as shown in FIG. 16, only the first partial information on the
non-compression is transmitted, and pieces of other partial
information are maintained in a state of non-compression until the
next demand occurs and when the next demand occurs, they are
subjected to the compression processing and then transmitted.
Furthermore, it is also acceptable to provide such an arrangement
that as shown in FIG. 17, only the first partial information is
transmitted in the state of the non-compression directly, and the
second partial information subsequent to the first partial
information is compressed and then transmitted, and the third
partial information subsequent to the second partial information is
subjected to the compression processing only and be saved without
being transmitted, and the remaining partial information is saved
in the state of the non-compression in the server. In such
arrangement, when the next transfer demand occurs, the second
partial information saved in the state of the compression is
transmitted and the third subsequent to the second partial
information is subjected to the compression processing only and be
saved without being transmitted.
(Another embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a typical illustration useful for understanding another
example of an information processing system at the server end.
According to the above-mentioned embodiments, it has been explained
that the partial information to be first displayed on the client
side is the first partial information of the information messages
to be transmitted from the server to the client. However, it is not
necessary that the partial information to be first displayed on the
client side is always the first partial information. For example,
as shown in FIG. 18, it is acceptable to provide such an
arrangement that the server stores the non-compressed data, and a
part of partial information in mid way is partitioned and
transmitted in form of the non-compressed data and the other
partial information is compressed and transmitted, and on the
client side, the partial information of the non-compressed data is
first displayed and the other partial information is subjected to
the expansion processing and thereafter displayed. With respect to
the matter as to what partial information is transmitted in the
state of the non-compression, it is acceptable that when the
information distribution demand is issued, the client designates
it, alternatively, the server stores beforehand such
information.
Incidentally, it is acceptable either that the non-compression of
partial information and the compression of partial information are
transmitted to the client, as shown in FIG. 18, through coupling
with each other at the server end, or that first only the
non-compression of partial information is transmitted to the
client, and thereafter other partial information is compressed and
then transmitted to the client, so that those two kinds of partial
information are coupled with each other at the client end.
FIG. 19 is a typical illustration useful for understanding an
example of an information processing system at the server end in
the event that information is stored in form of the compression at
the server end.
Here, at the server end, only a part of the first is partitioned
and expanded, and then coupled with the remaining partial
information of compression format and transmitted to the client.
Incidentally, it is the similar as to the matter of the
above-mentioned embodiments that the non-compression of partial
information and the compression of partial information may be
transmitted individually to the client, and then coupled with each
other at the client end.
FIG. 20 is a typical illustration useful for understanding another
example of an information processing system at the server end in
the event that information is stored in form of the compression at
the server end.
According to the present embodiment, only a part of information to
be distributed to the client is subjected to the expansion
processing and transferred. In the client, the partial information
transmitted in the form of the non-compression is first displayed,
and the partial information transmitted in the form of the
compression is subjected to the expansion processing and then
displayed subsequent to the partial information transmitted in the
form of the non-compression, or as a substitute for that partial
information.
As mentioned above, according to the present invention, when
information is transmitted from the server to the client, the
partial information used first for a display and the like is
transmitted in the form of the non-compression and at least part of
partial information of the remaining partial information is
transmitted in the form of the compression. This feature makes it
possible for the client side to immediately perform the display and
in addition to reduce the transmission time as the whole.
While the present invention has been described with reference to
the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted
by those embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be
appreciated that those skilled in the art can change of modify the
embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present invention.
* * * * *